Rail-joint.



110.731,1'16. 1 PATBNTED 11111316, 1903,

G. Gow. RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 1903.

NO MODEL.

No. 731,176. v l

UNITED STATES Patented June 16, 1903.

PATENT Crucis.

GEORGE.,GOW, OF CARNEGIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

RILfJomT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 731,176, dated June 16, 1903.

' Application ined April 24, 190s. seiiai No. 154.082. (No model.)

v 1'0 a/ZZ whom t mfaycon/cern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE GOW, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Carnegie,in the county ofAlleghenyand State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. y

This invention relates to certainfnew and useful improvements in rail-joints; and the object of the invention is to provide novel and effective means for joining rails together in such a manner as to practically have no joint or break between the ends ofthe abutting rails.

A further object ofmy invention is to construct a device of this character which may be employed with a one-piece chair or shoe adapted to embrace the base and web of the rails at the joint thereof, or it may be employed in connection with the ordinary fishplates now generally employed.

Briefly described, my invention comprises an interposed rail-section which is placed between the two adjacent ends of the rails and comprises a tread-section, a web-section, and a base-section. The tread-section of said interposed rail section or member extends be yond the ends of the web-section and basesection and has recesses therein which receive the beveled tongue-sections formed on the ends of the rail-tread.v Where I employ this interposed rail section or member in connection with the shoe or chair, I extend the side wall of the tread-section of said interposed rail section or member down over the upper edge of the fish-plates carried by said shoe or chair, and where I employ the interposed rail section or member in connection with the ordinary fish-plates the tread of said intermediate rail section or member is made of the same size as the tread of the rails, whereby the fish-plates will fit the underneath face of the same in like manner as they do the underneath face of the rail-tread.

In describing the invention in'detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings,

forming a part of this specification, and

wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure lis a top plan View of my improved rail-joint, showing the application of the shoe or chair. Fig. 2 is a side'elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of a part of one of the rails as constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 4 is a like View of the intermediate rail member or section. Fig. 5 is a like view of the engaging rail. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the shoe o r chair. Fig. 7 is an end view showing the use o f the shoe or chair. Fig. 8 is an end view showing the use of the ordinary fishplates.

To put my invention into practice, I provide the' rails l at their ends with tongues 2, which are formed by cutting away the sides of the tread at an incline, and interposed between the adjacent ends of the `rails l is a rail section or member embodying a tread 2,web 4, and base 5. The tread 3 is extended beyond the ends of the web and the base and is provided in its extended ends with tapering recesses 6, correspondingin shape to the tongues 2, which they are adapted to receive. I may employ this intermediate rail-section inconjunction with the shoe or chair embodying the integral piece 7, fish-plates 8, and the conmeeting-flanges 9. When used in conjunction with the one-piece chair or shoe of this form, I preferably extend the sides of the tread 3 down over the upper edge of the fish-plates 8, as seen in Fig. 7, to this end providing a groove between the web 4 and the side walls of the tread 3. Bolts 10 are passed through openings l1, provided therefor in the fishplates of the shoe or chair and through registering apertures provided therefor in the rails 1 near the ends of the rails. I may, however, employ the intermediate rail-section in connection with the ordinary fish-plates 14, as seen in Fig. 8, and in such construction the tread 3 of the intermediatev rail section or member may be engaged throughout its underneath face by the upper edge of the fishplates in the same manner as the fish-plates Vengage the underneath face of the tread of the rails l.

The fish-plates 14 will'be secured by means of the bolts 10, as in the ordinary practice. The shoe or chair may, if desired, be provided with notches 15 to receive securing-spikes. (Not shown.) Where the chair or shoe is employed, it will be evident that IOO the same is slid onto the one rail at one end thereof and the rails then joined up to the intermediate rail section or member and the shoe moved longitudinally over the joint, aftei which it is spiked in position. By the employment of this intermediate rail-section it will be observed that there is no break or joint in the tread of the rail, which is continuous across the entire face of the tread, and the jar due to the wheels striking the joint between the rails will be thereby materially decreased and practically eliminated.

While I have herein shown and described my invention as it is practiced by me, yet it will be obvious that various slight changes may be made in the details of construction without'departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters l Patent, is-

l. In a rail-joint, the combination with the rail members having their treads cut away at the ends to form tapering tongues, ot'A an intermediate rail section or member placed between the adjacentends of said rail membersadjacent rail members provided with tongues at the ends, of an intermediate rail section ormember having its tread extended beyond the ends of the web and base and provided with recesses to receive said tongues, a shoe or chair embracing said rail members at the ends and having fish-plates engaging said intermediate rail section or member, and bolts passing through said fish-plates and rail members, substantially as described'.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' GEORGE GOVV. Witnesses:

EDW. G. OTT, WALTER DoUGLAss. 

